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The European Commission is today launching the European Solidarity Corps, just two months after President Juncker announced it in his State of the Union address and as a first deliverable of the priorities for action identified in the Bratislava Roadmap. As of today, young people between the ages of 18 and 30 can sign up for new opportunities to make an important contribution to society across the EU, and to gain invaluable experience and acquire valuable skills at the start of their career.

Today, the European Commission publishes the first evaluation of how IT companies applied the code of conduct to combat illegal online hate speech. The code was agreed with the IT companies (Facebook, Google (YouTube), Twitter and Microsoft) on 31 May 2016. Initial results show that 28 % of all notifications of alleged illegal online hate speech lead to the removal of the flagged content. However, only 40 % of all notifications are currently reviewed under 24 hours, while the aim of the code of conduct is to review the majority within 24 hours.

From 5 to 9 December 2016, the European Commission is organising a first European Vocational Skills Week to inspire people to discover, use and improve their talents and abilities through vocational training.

On 1 December 2016, the European Commission has today unveiled a series of measures to improve the Value Added Tax (VAT) environment for e-commerce businesses in the EU. These proposals will allow consumers and companies, in particular start-ups and SMEs, to buy and sell goods and services more easily online.

A Special Seminar on Ocean Literacy is being organised during the IOI Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the Mediterranean, Black, Baltic and Caspian Seas. The seminar is scheduled for the 2nd December between 9:00-13:00hrs at Europe House – 254, St Paul Street, Valletta.

The European Commission Representation in Malta is offering an in-house training service to trainees for a period of up to 6 months. The traineeship is based on a request by the trainee and forms part of his/her course. Our traineeship programme presents an opportunity to receive work experience in a distinctly multinational and intellectually stimulating environment. This traineeship is unpaid. Deadline for applications: Thursday 15 December 2016.

Commission takes on board findings of three evaluations, in line with its proposal to reinforce and expand the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the core of the Investment Plan for Europe. The Investment Plan for Europe has already proven useful in encouraging a sustainable increase in investment across Member States. Given the concrete results achieved since the Commission unveiled the Investment Plan two years ago, President Jean-Claude Juncker presented a proposal in his State of the Union address of 14 September to reinforce the EFSI to boost investment further.

Europe Direct Information Centre – Victoria Gozo (EDIC) has organised another tree-planting event ‘Plant a Tree for Peace’ at Ghammar Hill near Ta’ Pinu as part of an on-going project to embellish the hill and create a Biblical Garden along the Way of the Cross. With this activity, (EDIC) / LEAF Award scheme came to an end.

On Wednesday 23 November, the Commission presented a comprehensive package of reforms to further strengthen the resilience of EU banks. This proposal builds on existing EU banking rules and aims to complete the post-crisis regulatory agenda by making sure that the regulatory framework addresses any outstanding challenges to financial stability, while ensuring that banks can continue to support the real economy.